Nace and I (Texas Lillie and her Texas State Park Quest pt 1)

Nace and I (Texas Lillie and her Texas State Park Quest pt 2)

A message from Nace: This episode is dedicated to all of the amazing volunteers and staff at Dallas Animal Services. Lillie's rescue story was only made possible by a volunteer that shared photos and videos that another volunteer and a foster used to make the decision to foster her. None of that would have been possible had a animal control officer not rescued her from the street. Once in the shelter, she was given a full and complete medical check up and provided care through a upper respiratory infection and heartworm treatment. There was also all of the kennel techs that made sure her bowls were never empty and her bedding was clean and comfortable. Literally dozens of people had a hand in Lillie's rescue journey and they provide the same lifesaving efforts for each and every pet in their care. Episode Description: What starts as a hike can sometimes become something much bigger. In Part 2 of my conversation with Nace, we dive deeper into the incredible bond between a hiker and his dog, Lillie. From learning the realities of hiking with a canine companion to navigating rescue, recovery, trust, and growth, this episode explores the lessons that can only be learned when every mile is shared. Nace shares Lillie's story, how she came into his life, the challenges they faced together, and how that relationship evolved into a mission to experience every Texas State Park. Along the way, we discuss pacing, awareness, responsibility, resilience, and the unique perspective that dogs bring to the trail. We also explore how a simple goal became a meaningful journey, what they've learned from the parks they've visited, the challenges still ahead, and how they continue preparing for future adventures together. More than a conversation about hiking, this is a story about companionship, purpose, patience, and the power of finding your trail partner when you need one most. If you've ever hiked with a dog, considered adopting a rescue, or wondered how outdoor adventures can shape both people and pets, this episode is for you. Join us as we continue the journey with Nace and Lillie, one trail, one park, and one adventure at a time.

Nace and I (Texas Lillie and her Texas State Park Quest pt 1)

A message from Nace: This episode is dedicated to all of the amazing volunteers and staff at Dallas Animal Services. Lillie's rescue story was only made possible by a volunteer that shared photos and videos that another volunteer and a foster used to make the decision to foster her. None of that would have been possible had a animal control officer not rescued her from the street. Once in the shelter, she was given a full and complete medical check up and provided care through a upper respiratory infection and heartworm treatment. There was also all of the kennel techs that made sure her bowls were never empty and her bedding was clean and comfortable. Literally dozens of people had a hand in Lillie's rescue journey and they provide the same lifesaving efforts for each and every pet in their care. Message from the Host: Sometimes the outdoors isn't just where we go for adventure, it's where we learn who we are. I hope this conversation reminds you to get outside, try something new, and embrace the journey, even when things don't go according to plan. Happy trails! Episode Description: In this first part of my conversation with Nace, we dive into the experiences that helped shape his love for hiking, backpacking, and the outdoors. We talk about how he got started on the trail, the lessons learned from mistakes along the way, and why spending time outside has become such an important part of his life. From memorable adventures to hard-earned trail wisdom, Nace shares the moments that helped build his passion for exploring Texas and beyond. We also discuss the value of getting outside, what hiking and backpacking have taught us, and why the outdoors continue to call us back, one trail at a time. This episode is a fun and honest conversation between two hikers who know that sometimes the best stories come from the mistakes, unexpected challenges, and lessons learned along the way. And this is just the beginning. In Part 2, we'll dive into the incredible story of Lillie, Nace's rescue dog and hiking partner, and his mission to visit every Texas State Park with her by his side. So lace up your boots, hit the trail, and join us for Part 1 of this great conversation with Nace.

Cameron and I (Lone Star Hiking Trail Thru-Hike pt.2)

Message From the Host: This episode means a lot to me because the Lone Star Hiking Trail challenged me mentally and physically more than I expected. Somewhere between the pine corridors, the long miles, and the exhaustion, this trail became less about hiking and more about simply refusing to quit. I’m grateful to Cameron for taking on this adventure with me and for being willing to share both the highs and lows honestly. The LSHT may not get the attention of bigger trails, but it absolutely earns your respect. If you’ve ever thought about hiking the Lone Star Hiking Trail, I hope this episode motivates you to experience it for yourself. Episode Description: Four days. Roughly 100 miles. Endless pine corridors. Questionable decisions. Trail math that stopped making sense somewhere around mile 94. In this part 2 of our thru-hike of the Lone Star Hiking Trail, Cameron and I sit down and unpack the full reality of our Lone Star Hiking Trail thru-hike, from the planning phase sitting at home with maps and cache spreadsheets… to the moments on trail where everything started to hurt and the mental battle truly began. We dive deep into the strategy behind the hike, including how we approached water caches, campsite selection, daily mileage goals, and balancing efficiency versus leaving ourselves room for things to go sideways. We break down the original plan compared to the actual miles we ended up hiking each day, what worked better than expected, and what we would immediately change if we attempted it again. This episode also gets brutally honest about the realities of long-distance hiking in East Texas. We talk about the monotony of the pine corridors, the physical toll of pushing bigger miles, the mental lows that hit deep into the trip, and the moments where quitting quietly starts creeping into your mind. For me, one of those moments came around mile 94 when I realized my brain had convinced me we were farther along than we actually were. Along the way, we discuss the gear that saved us, the gear that disappointed us, food strategies, foot care mistakes, camp life, and how we kept each other moving when exhaustion started taking over. We also reflect on the moments that now stand out most from the couch, the highs, the lows, the laughter, the suffering, and the strange way a trail changes once you’ve completed it. Most importantly, this episode is about what the Lone Star Hiking Trail really is: not just a trail through the Texas piney woods, but a mental challenge that tests patience, resilience, adaptability, and your ability to keep moving forward when everything in your body says stop. If you’ve ever considered hiking the LSHT, attempted it yourself, or just wondered what a four-day push across the longest hiking trail in Texas actually feels like… this episode is for you. Welcome to the suffering. Welcome to the laughs. Welcome to the Lone Star Hiking Trail.

Cameron and I (Lone Star Hiking Trail Thru-Hike pt.1)

A Message from Cameron: When I asked Cameron if there was a message he wanted to share with listeners, he chose to leave us with scripture, a reflection of his faith, his heart, and the perspective he carries into the outdoors. Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalms 25:4-5 Episode Description: This episode is a special one because it is not just about the longest continuous hiking trail in Texas, t is about friendship, planning, suffering a little bit, laughing a lot, and finally taking on a trail that every Texas backpacker eventually starts looking at and thinking, “Yeah… I probably need to do that.” Cameron and I sit down to talk about our four-day thru-hike of the Lone Star Hiking Trail, the longest continuous hiking trail in Texas and one of those trails I think every Texas backpacker eventually feels like they need to do. Before we get into the miles, caches, campsites, and all the planning that went into it, we rewind a little and talk about how we actually met, from the Guadalupe Mountains hiking community on Facebook, to a YouTube meet-up, to hiking together at Cleburne State Park, where I may or may not have almost died. We talk about how the LSHT first came up, what we expected going into it, and how the idea of doing it in four days felt before we ever stepped on trail. Cameron and I also break down the planning side of the trip, daily mileage, real-life time limits, where we placed our caches, and how much room we left for things to go wrong. This episode is part trail story, part planning breakdown, and part two hikers laughing about the decisions that somehow got us across the longest trail in Texas. Four days. A lot of miles. A few questionable choices.

Emily, Nate, and I (Bear Box Brew)

Message From Emily and Nate: We'd like to dedicate the episode to our family and friends who have supported us from day one and continuously encouraged us to do what makes us happy! We encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the US National Parks we have access to, we are truly so lucky to have such natural beauty available to us here! Episode Description: This episode of the Trailblazing Texas Podcast is all about coffee, comfort, trail life, and the story behind a small outdoor business built from a real backcountry problem. I’m joined by the husband-and-wife team behind Bear Box Brew, a trail-friendly coffee company created for hikers, backpackers, campers, and anyone who believes a good cup of coffee should not require a pile of gear, a messy cleanup, or a complicated morning routine. We start with their origin story, what coffee looked like for them on trail before Bear Box Brew existed, the frustrations they kept running into, and the moment they realized there had to be a better way. From there, we dig into the early experiments, the failed versions, the laughs, the trial and error, and the moment their simple trail hack started turning into something much bigger. We talk about why coffee feels like such a non-negotiable comfort in the outdoors, especially when you’re waking up at camp, shaking off a cold night, or getting ready for another day on trail. Bear Box Brew was built around the idea of no equipment and no cleanup, but as you’ll hear, that simple concept shaped everything, from the design and packaging to the way they think about flavor, convenience, and the overall trail experience. Episodes like this are important to the Trailblazing Texas Podcast because our hiking and backpacking community is supported by real people taking real risks. Small outdoor businesses like Bear Box Brew are not just selling a product, they are pouring their time, money, creativity, and heart into something they believe will make the outdoor experience better for the rest of us. These are the people behind the gear, the food, the coffee, the services, and the ideas that help make our adventures possible. Highlighting these businesses matters because they are part of the same community we are. They understand the early mornings, the long miles, the cold camps, the gear failures, the small comforts, and the moments that make the trail worth it. When a small business chooses to build something for hikers and backpackers, they are betting on this community — and I believe it’s important that we take the time to hear their story, support their work, and recognize the risk and dedication behind what they’re creating. This episode is about more than coffee. It’s about solving a real problem, testing an idea in real outdoor conditions, supporting small businesses, and creating something that becomes part of people’s adventures. So whether you’re a backpacker, a weekend camper, a morning coffee loyalist, or someone who just loves hearing how outdoor brands are born, this is a fun one. Grab a cup, settle in, and enjoy my conversation with Bear Box Brew.